Jack Neo says sorry online
Jack Neo
Film-maker Jack Neo apologised to his family and his fans on his blog on Friday, a day after a press conference to explain his extra-marital affair ended with his wife's collapse.
In the post composed in Chinese on the omy web portal, he said his public fall from grace was "retribution".
"There is a saying, reap what you have sown. I often used this phrase as a line to strengthen the plot. I didn't expect it to apply to me," wrote the 50-year-old actor-director of hit films such as Money No Enough 2 (2008).
"What Man does, Heaven sees. Don't not believe in retribution, and don't think that if you hide in a dark place and do bad things, Heaven won't see. My fate is sufficient proof."
He said: "To me, this matter is a very painful but also a very valuable wake-up call. I will remember firmly to cherish the importance of my wife and family because they are life's most precious treasures."
Neo's name has been dragged through the mud after his two-year relationship with a 22-year-old actress-model, Wendy Chong, came to light last Saturday. Other young women also came forward with claims that they had to reject his advances and were dubbed "Jack girls" by the Chinese newspapers.
On Thursday, he met the media with his wife, Irene Kng, and admitted that the affair was 'entirely' his fault. But the press conference ended in five minutes - amid a near-scuffle with cameramen - without an apology from him.
Comedian Mark Lee said Neo, his mentor, had meant to apologise to his family and fans on Thursday. But the director had to leave with his wife when she became too traumatised by the flashing cameras, said Lee.
In his post dated Friday, Neo, a Cultural Medallion recipient, said he was "very sorry, ashamed and sad" over how he had hurt his wife and their four children aged six to 19.
He was "really embarrassed" and understood the disappointment of his parents, siblings, relatives, friends and old classmates, he added.
Neo, a television comic who became Singapore's most successful film-maker, also apologised to his fans.
"An extra-marital affair is a domestic matter and many people have told me that as long as my wife and family forgive me, it's enough and I need not care about anything else," he wrote.
"But think about it. In the past 20 years, you grew up with my television and film work. You know me so well, care about me, trust me unreservedly and support me. How can I think of you as outsiders, too?"
So "it is my wish too to be forgiven by you", he said.
There was no mention of Chong or any of the "Jack girls".
But he wrote: "Irene and I will continue to work together on a successful and happy marriage. I will be more careful about what I say and do and how I treat all girls, to avoid misunderstanding. I will be family-oriented and more loyal to my wife."
In the concluding paragraphs of his post, he said: "I am a mortal. I make mistakes. Although I admitted my mistakes immediately, to those who care about me, I pray that you forgive me and give me a shot at rebirth."
- The Straits Times/ANN
Published March 13 2010
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